On a weekend when in Cheltenham racing parlance, victories were measured in terms of a short head or neck, South Yorkshire Police simply romped to the Second Section honours by a clear cut margin of two or three lengths.

It was arguably the most impressive win of the four title races, as MD Leigh Baker captured a character portrait of 'Adam Zero' framed with commanding technical as well as emotional understanding.

That was later endorsed by adjudicator Dr Robert Childs, who arranged the music of the Sir Arthur Bliss ballet score into a 'Suite' by amending the timeline of the protagonist's life. "It was a good two or three points ahead,"he said.

More impressive

It also made the achievement all the more impressive given its fractured chronological narrative; the curtain rising fanfare to Zero's birth followed by the youthful joy of the 'Dance of Spring'.

Dr Childs then placed 'Approach of Autumn', with its melancholic sense of decay before the mature strength of the 'Dance of Summer', resulting in something of an extended memory flashback. The briefest of codas renewed the cycle of life.

The intriguing structure was echoed in the demanding scoring; the title winning aspirations of the 19 contenders questioned time and again by balance and pacing.

The seamless passing of motif lines were folded into the creation of atmospheric mystery as well as joyful bravura with a focus that reflected the compact choreography of the ballet. Fragmentary echoes of 'Checkmate' and 'Things to Come' permeated through the writing before a final flourish took you by surprise.

Coherent arc

From the early number 3 draw, South Yorkshire Police's coherent performance arc had both subtle and defined definitions in style and musicality.

The control was evident from the start and maintained throughout by an ensemble able to meld its sound with precision. It also allowed high-quality soloists to shine; led by a super solo cornet in Brian Winter, and their 'Most Outstanding Player' award-winning solo horn, Adrian Green. The MD controlled things like the omnipotent Stage Director of the ballet itself.

"This was a top performance", wrote Dr Childs in his adjudication remarks, whilst fellow judges, Dr Brett Baker and Stephanie Binns were equally effusive. "This was a considered and impressive performance of a difficult piece. Congratulations to conductor, band and soloists", wrote Brett, whilst Stephanie commented that it was "a fantastic performance filled with style, conviction and music".

Analysis

Few would have disagreed, especially after Dr Childs had given a comprehensive pre-results analysis of what the work was about and what the judges had been looking for.

"The best bands had technical assuredness and musicality," he said in describing the need to "set the scene" in an opening fragment that had to be "brilliant but not overblown". The first 'Dance' of "youthful confidence" was also "not to be pushed too hard", whilst the 'Approach of Autumn' combined "darkness and sadness... but also had elements of optimism and hope". The coda "drew a life to a close... but set the scene for a new one".

What that new life in the First Section will hold for South Yorkshire Police in 2026 will be intriguing. With an MD of experience and musical nous, backed by a band of confidence and depth of quality they could well fancy their chances of returning to Cheltenham for a third year in a row.

"We did it!" they stated on their Facebook after their triumph. "Second Section National Champions! First Section her we come!" Their MD simply said: "Decent day at the office. Well proud!"

Notable substance

Although beaten, South Yorkshire Police's rivals will all have benefitted greatly from their Cheltenham preparation and performances, with a number now also looking forward to a new life cycle of competition in the First Section in 2026.

Not for the first time at this event Philip Fisher and City of Cambridge produced a performance of notable musical substance. Their 'Adam Zero' was in turn light of foot and wit, daring and adventurous, tender and compassionate, as they secured a fine runner-up finish. Just the occasional moment of unease saw them wobble, but it was music built on true Bliss DNA.

So too third placed Jersey Premier Brass, with their portraiture enhanced in colour and character under Jason Mildren, but still with the Bliss traits readily identifiable throughout. That it held its podium credentials right to the end of the day told you a great deal about the quality of its approach and execution.

Solid top-six

That was also evident in the renditions from the other top-six finishers, even in their quite different musical approaches.

Marieka Gray used her experience to draw a controlled life-portrait from North of England champion, Ferryhill Town, whilst Chris Wormald drew a much more emotive account from Eagley in fifth. On what was good weekend of solid contesting returns for Scottish banding, Perthshire Brass led by MD Willie McMullan created defined contrasts in style.

Admire

Behind them, the judges found much to commend in the host of midfield finishers, although as Dr Childs stated, their musical telling of the Adam Zero life story didn't quite capture the fancy of the three judges in box as well as their rivals.

Much though to enjoy from solidly portrayed accounts from Deiniolen, Verwood, Strata and Liverpool who made up the top-10, as well as the remaining contenders.

Interestingly, one person in the hall who certainly found something to enjoy in each was Caroline Bliss.

The grand-daughter of Sir Arthur recalled that he was, "an English gent with an American soul"- noting that despite his complexities, he would have been "inspired and amazed by the performances", all of which "revealed the extraordinary emotion of my grandfather's essence".

As an endorsement of every band's efforts — including the winner — that took some beating.

Iwan Fox

"This was a considered and impressive performance of a difficult piece. Congratulations to conductor, band and soloists", wrote Brett, whilst Stephanie commented that it was "a fantastic performance filled with style, conviction and music"4BR

Result:

Second Section:

Suite from Adam Zero (Arthur Bliss arr. Dr. Robert Childs)
Adjudicators: Dr Brett Baker; Stephanie Binns; Dr Robert Childs

1. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
2. City of Cambridge (Philip Fisher)
3. Jersey Premier Brass (Jason Mildren)
4. Ferryhill Town (Marieka Gray)
5. Eagley (Christopher Wormald)
6. Perthshire (Willie McMullan)
7. Deiniolen (Lois Jones)
8. Verwood Town (Kevin Smith)
9. Strata (David Holling)
10. Liverpool (David McGlynn)
11. Carlton Brass (Matt Ludford-King)
12. Jedforest Instrumental (Philip Rosier)
13. Abertillery Town (Stephen Sykes)
14. Dunston Silver (Fraser Hodgson)
15. Middleton (Jamie Cooper)
16. Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
17. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
18. Nailsworth Silver (Anri Adachi)
19. Chinnor Silver (Oliver Hallstead-Brooks)

Most Outstanding Player: Adrian Green (tenor horn) — South Yorkshire Police